Nigerian Government Threatens ‘No Work, No Pay’ for Striking Doctors Despite Inaction on Abducted Colleague
August 30, 2024
By Okafor Joseph Afam
In a move likely to heighten tensions within the nation’s healthcare sector, the Nigerian government has issued a stern warning to striking doctors, invoking the controversial ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy. The announcement comes amidst an ongoing industrial action by medical professionals demanding improved working conditions and the safe return of one of their abducted colleagues.
The strike, which has paralyzed services in many public hospitals, began following the abduction of Dr. Andrew Ibrahim, a senior registrar at a federal teaching hospital in the North-Central region of the country. Despite the government’s assurances and the involvement of security agencies, Dr. Ibrahim’s whereabouts remain unknown, exacerbating the frustration of the medical community.
In a statement released earlier today, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, reaffirmed the government’s position, stating that while the government is committed to ensuring the safe return of Dr. Ibrahim, the strike is unlawful and detrimental to the nation’s health sector. “The government cannot afford to allow an indefinite strike to cripple healthcare services. We have a duty to protect lives and ensure that public services continue to function,” Ngige said.
The striking doctors, under the aegis of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), have criticized the government’s stance, arguing that it undermines their legitimate concerns for safety and better working conditions. NARD President, Dr. Emeka Orji, accused the government of prioritizing politics over the welfare of healthcare workers. “Our demands are simple: better security for healthcare workers and a safe working environment. The government has failed in its primary responsibility to protect its citizens, and now they want to punish us for demanding what is rightfully ours,” Dr. Orji stated.
The ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy, which has been a contentious issue in previous strikes, is expected to deepen the standoff between the government and the medical community. The policy, which stipulates that employees on strike will not be paid for the duration of their industrial action, has been widely criticized by labor unions across the country.
As the deadlock continues, patients across Nigeria are bearing the brunt of the dispute, with many unable to access critical medical services. The government has called on the striking doctors to return to work while negotiations continue, but the doctors have vowed to remain on strike until their demands are met.
The ongoing strike raises questions about the government’s commitment to addressing the root causes of unrest within the healthcare sector. With the safe return of Dr. Ibrahim still uncertain, the situation remains tense, and the threat of an extended impasse looms large.
This latest development marks another chapter in the fraught relationship between the Nigerian government and its healthcare workers, a relationship that has been characterized by frequent strikes, unmet demands, and a deteriorating healthcare system.
The coming days will be crucial as both sides weigh their options in what could become a significant test of the government’s resolve and the unity of the medical profession in Nigeria.
